Electric switch control



' July 1, 1930. "s. s. STOLP ELECTRIC swgwca CONTROL Filed July 23, 1927 INVENTOR. smua s sroLP.

Bi fg"; 11- a ATTORNEY.

Patented July 1,1930" 1 marsh "s-T'Arss nEvIcE co.

/ ELECTRIC swrrcn ooivrnon Application 'fiia July as,

My inventionrelates to electrically operated track switches operated electrically from 'thecar.' Gne object of my invention is'to produce a system that workstpoweron or power off the system as hereinafter described. I.

This invention relates to improvements in electrically operated switch controls in which solenoids, contactors and circuitsare grouped to produce the following objects First, to increase the life of the apparatus; second, to increase the speed ofjoperation; third, to introduce a time element in the switch operating circuit that will open the circuit within the operating length of the contactor; and fourth, to introduce a time ele ment in the switch operating circuit that will limit the time of current application to the track solenoids,'this being the'maximum predetermined time. I r 1 These objects are attained by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which I Fig. 1 is as'sect'ion of the controlfpanel showing the general arrangement of the re lays employedin the system. fl

Fig. 2 is a general arrangement of the circuits and parts when the system is'in a normal condition. i i

Throughoutthe various figures and drawings it was attempted to retain the same numerals for similar parts, so the description of the various modifications would be more readily understood; 1 l In Fig.- 1 the numeral 2 represents a retarded pickuptime element that is employed to open the switch operating circuit for a predetermined time interval. The letter X represents the current selective relay employed to produce the track switch solenoid selection, and its operating functions are the same as formerly used in the art. In the retarded pickup relay 2, '1 is'the magnet core for the coil 3 and copper slug 4, and is securedto the magnet framethat carries the armature 5 The contact arm 6 which carries the contact 6 normally rests against-the fixed contact 7 and has a separate bearing point 6. It can be readily seen by reference to the drawing that the armature 5, during its course of 1 In Fig. 2,

1 927. Serial no. 207,924.

travel, will strike the contact arm 6 and cause it to move away from the contact 7 with a very quick movement. It will also be noted ,by' reference to the dotted lines-for relay 2 that after the completion of this hammer blow effectthe contact armiwill return to rest in amid position, being stopped on its return courseof travel by the armature 5 i It is the purpose of this arrangement to. permit'the contact arm to return a portionof its travel,

and come to rest before the'contacts 6 and 7 close, so as to avoid any excessive or deteriorating wear on the contacts; The relay X has a similar core and magnet frame to relay 2, andis equipped with an operating coil KL, an armature KL that carries a contact which operatesbetween the back contact 19'of relay :X and frontcontact 18 of relayXy I relays 2 and Xare represented bythe conventional symbols. In this system numeral 9 represents a trolley wire or con ductor. Positioned adjacent the'trolley'conductor is a pan or trolley contactor 8'provided with twocontact members 10 and 11' which are generallyparallel and normallyinsulated from'each other; The member 10'is electricallyconnected to the trolley-conductor 9 at all times, but the member:11 is normally insulated therefrom, but it iselectrically con nected thereto when a current collectorqengages the pan or trolley contactor 8. The contact membersfllO and 11 are so related to the trolley conductor'9 that when the current collector engages thecontact members it will be out of engagement with the contact members and remain so until it is about to pass out of engagement with the pan or-trolley con- Y t ac'tor; Such arrangement of the contact members and conductor is well known to those skilled in the art. I also employ an electrically operated track swich that is provided with two solenoids GM pand GrM each having a connection to the ground through the common conductor 24:.

I also employ an electrically operated normally open relay X provided with an operating coil KL and an armatureKL The coil KL, is mounted on a magnetcore which is also true of the other switch coil later referred to,

although a moving plunger may be substituted for the magnet core as is well known to those skilled in the art. One terminal of coil KLis connected to the contact member 10 of trolley contactor 8 by wire 13, and the other coil terminal is connected to the trolley conductor 9 by wire 12. The armature KL of relay X is normally in its free state; thatis, not influenced by any magnetic flux and rests against the normally closed contact '19which is a back contact of relay X and is-connected through wire 1 to the contact arm 6 of the retarded pickup relay 2. The back contact 19 of relay X is connected by wires 2 and b to track switch operating solenoid GM The front contact 18 of relay X is connected by Wires 2 and A to track switch operating solenoid GM"-.

The other relay T that Iemploy has in addition to its operating coil 3, a copper slug 1 and an armature 5 The armature 5 has no electrical connection in. the circuit and is used to mechanically move the contact arm 6 which in turn controls the contacts 6 and 7 Onecoil terminal of coil 3 is connected by wires 16 and 17 to the divided resistor 17, 17", the other coil terminal of coil 3 of relay 2 is connected to the back contact 7 of relay 2 by Wires 15 and 7 V l The relay 2 is provided with a retarded pick up factor and this retardation may be brought about by many well known constructive principles, such as a copper or brass slug about their operations. "bered that the operating coil KL of relay X has a very low resistance; that 1s, it generally the core of the coil of the relay, as indicated by 4', orit may be brought about by, the spacingof the armature 5 with respect to the core when in the open position or a combination of'these, or a dash-pot et cetera, may be employed. It is also very evident to those skilled in the'art that-the armature 5 can be calculated to operate with a relatively slow magnetic response by reason of very high'inductance of the operating coil 3, and this means is employed very extensively in the system disclosed in Fig. 2, which I describe more fully in alate'r description;

It must be remembered that the switch operating relays GM and GM are Wound with a relatively low resistance whereby a high wattage results to produce a normal saturating value capable of causing actuation in either of the'coils when they are in the operating condition. Therefore, it is very desirable to have a reliable and safe time element to remove the current from these coils after they have bee'ngiven enough time to perform It must also be rememconsists of six or eight turns of #6 copper wire. Relay X is acurrent selective relay; that is, a very heavy current must pass throughits operating coil KL before it can eilect its armature This current is al- Way's greater-than any 'currentused in the oporation of the control relays and track switch trolley contactor 8 with power off operating coil KL of relay X is not energized to the point wherein it would afi'ect its armature KL as the current passing through this coil at this interval would only be the auxiliary currents of the car and the small-currents that are employedto operate the relays and the solenoids of the system. As thercurrent collector comes into contact engagement and bridges contact members 10 and 11, a circuit is completed to thetrack switch operating coil GM", feedingfrom the trolley conductor 9, through wire-12, coil KL of relay X,wire 13, contact member 10, through the current collector, through contact strip 11,'wire 14, fuse 14, Wire 7 back contact 7- of relay 2, contact arm contact 6? ofrelay 2, wire 1 armature KLtof relay X, back contact 19 of relay'X, wire 2 wire I), track switchopcrating solenoid GM", Wire 23,wire 24toground G, and the track switch operatingmechanism will be operated to the straight ahead course,

-or held in this position depending upon the previous condition of the track switch. Instant to the establishment of this circuit the retarded pickup relay 2 was brought into 'action by the completion of the circuit through its operating coil 3, the circuit being completed from the trolley conductor 9, wire 12,

.coil KLofrelay X, wire 13, contact member 10 of trolley contactor 8, through the cur rent collector, contact member 11 of trolley contactor-8, wire 14$, fuse-14, wire 15,0perating coil 3 of relay 2, wire 16, wire 17 resistance unit 17 wire 20, wire a, track switch operating solenoid GM- wire 22, wire 24 to ground G. At this pointit would be well to note that the current of this circuit is very small, always say, less than one-half of one ampere and this is not of sufficient magnitude 'to afiect any operation of the track switch mechanism. After thepredetermined time interval of the relay 2, the means heretofore described, the armature 530i relay 2 is .e'ffected, and is, raised to closed position, wherein during its course of travel it strikes the contact arm 6, and opens contacts 6 and '7 of relay 2. The opening of these contacts opens the track switch solenoid operating circuit that was completed through them. The

opening of these contacts, however, did not eil'ectthe circuit-completed through the operating coil 3 of relay2, as this circuit remains 'establishedlas long as the current collector engages-the contact members 10 and 11 of divided resistor17 17 but it must be noted, I

however, that as soon as the contacts 6 and of relay ,2 disengage, the circuit isthen com:

pleted through theother portion of the di-.

vided resistor, as'thisrportion of the return circuit was inoperative; through a shuntthat was established through contacts 6 and- .7.

The object of suchan arrangement as this is to'provide an accelerating circuit forfthe contact arm 6. It isv evidentthat as the divided resistorprovi'des two ground returns.

the current-through the operating coil 3 of relay 2 is increased, thereby increasingthe power of the relay at the time the work be; comes the greatest. A" secondary advantage of such an arrangement is, as theretarding affect of the; relay is being encountered the operating current vfor the relay is at a mini-- mumthe'rebyincreasingthe time factor of operation. v

If the current collector, engages the trolley contactor 8 initially using power on, the coil KL of relay X- will be energized, as a current of suflicient magnitude is passing through it to produce an operation of its armature KL to the raised position,;bringing it into contact engagement with the. normally open front contact 18 of relay X. Instant to the completion of this operation, and the engagement of the current collector and contact members 10 and 11 of trolley contactor8, a circuit was completed to the track switch solenoid GM to afiectan operation of the track-switch operating device to the curved position, the circuit being completed from the trolley contactor 9, through wire 12, coil KL of relay X, wire 13, contact member 10 of trolley contactor 8, through the current collector, contact member 11 of trolley contactor 8, wire 14*,fuse14, wire 7, back contact 7 of relay 2, contact armjcontact 6 of relay 2, contact arm 6 of relay 2, wire 1", ar-- mature KL of relay X, front contact 18 of relay X, wire 2 wire A, track switch operating solenoid GM wire 22 wire 24 to ground G. After a predetermined time interval the relay 2 will operate in the same manner/as was described for the straight ahead operation with the exception that its initial ground return was taken through the 17 b portion of the divided resistor 17 .17 and track switch operating solenoid GM". 1 I

To sum up the; operation of this system, if the car operator desires to go ,straight ahead, he sets his controller to power oil I with theintention of coasting past the trolley contactor 8. As soonas thecurrent 'collectorengages the trolleycontactor 8, the

track switch will operatewto the straight ahead position, and should the remain on the contactor the circuit for track switch operating solenoid wilLbe' opened, thereby afiording the maximum protectionavailable for thetrack switch operating solenoids.

It the car operator desires to take-the curve, he will turn his controller to power oniiwithfthe intention of passing the contactor-"drawing power; When the current'collector engages the trolley contactori8 with relay X will operate and select the powerv on,

curved position? track switch operating solenoid, and the track switch will be thrown to the ,curved position? However, should the operator be compelled to bring'his car to' stop under the trolley contactor, the circuit of the track switch operating solenoid will be straight ahead position.

There are, of course, modifications and-arrangements of the parts which may be made from that shown in the above disclosure and which will still fall within the scope of my invention. I

I claim:

1. In asystemof the class-described, the 7 combination of an actuating solenoid, a relay operable to selectively direct currents thru different parts ofthe actuating solenoid, and a second relay for controlling current flow to said solenoid and arranged to automatically pickup upon a flow of current th'ruone of the actuating solenoids.

2.'In a system of the class 'described, the

i Opened and the same protectionwill be provided for the solenoidsas described for the" -lOO a second relay for controlling current flow to said solenoid circuit and arranged to auto.- matically pickup upon a flow of currentjthr'u one of the actuating solenoids, and retain this state by a holding current flowing thru both branches of the actuatingsolenoid; i

4. In a system of the class described, the combination of a normally. open operating circuit including an actuating solenoid, a. re- 7 lay adapted to selectively direct current in said .circuit thru different :partsgrof said solenoid,- and a second relay j in a circuit between the first mentioned relay and .the

solenoid for controlling a flow of saturating current thrueitherrbranch of thepsolen'oid,

' flow of current in said circuit less than a sat- Cir urating Value feeding thru the branch of the solenoid not selected.

5. In a'system of the class described, the

combination of a normally open operating circuit including an actuating solenoid, a relay adapted to selectively direct current in said circuit thru different parts of said solenoid, and asecond relay in a circuit between the first mentioned relay and the solenoid for controlling a flow of saturating currentthru either branch of the solenoid, and arranged to automatically pickup upon a flow of cur rent in said circuit less than a saturating value feeding thru the branch of the solenoid not selected, and retain this state by a current feeding thru both branches of the actuating solenoid as long as the said normally open circuit remains closed.

6. In a system of the class described, the combination of a normally open operating circuit including an actuating-solenoid, a relay adapted to selectively direct current thru different parts of said solenoid, a circuit in- V cluding a second relay and a divided resistor connecting each branch of the solenoid of suflicient ohmic resistance to limt the current to less than necessary to saturatethe' solenoid, the armature of said relay being connected to shunt one-portion of the divided resistor when a saturating current is being applied to a branch of the'actuating solenoid to decrease the current flowing thru the operating means of the last mentioned relay until the said relay has functioned to open said branch circuit of the actuating solenoid.

7. In a system of the class described, the

V combination of a normally open operating circuit including an actuating solenoid, a relay adapted to selectively direct current thru different parts of said solenoid, a circuit including a second relay and a divided resistor connecting each branch of the solenoid of suflicient ohmic resistance to limit the current to less than necessary to saturate the solenoid, the armature of said relay being connected to shunt one portion of the divided resistor when a saturating current is being applied to a branch of the actuating solenoid to decrease the current flowing thru the operating means of the last mentioned relay until the said re'lay'has functioned to open said'branch circuit of the actuating solenoid,

wherein the current is increased thru the said operating means to insure a positive opening of the said branch circuit. 1

8. In a system of the class described, the combination of a normally open operating circuit including an actuating solenoid, a relay adapted to selectively direct currents thru different parts of said solenoid, a circuit in cluding a second relay having an armature included in the said operating circuit and its operating means included in a circuit eonnecting the different parts of the solenoid, thrua high resistance, means to close the said normally open operating circuit and establish a saturating current thru onebranch of the actuating solenoid and establish a current of less than a saturating value thru the other branch of the solenoid to effect the operating means of the last mentioned relay.

9. In a system of the'class described, the combination of a track switch solenoid, a relay for selectively directing current thru diflerent partsof the track solenoid, a second relay for controlling the flow of current to the track switchsolenoid, a power line, a circuit including a. trolley contactor having an element connected with the power lineand an element connectedthru the second relay, a

divided resistor and the branches of the track solenoid to ground, and a second connection thru an armature of said second relay to a branch of the solenoid selected by said first relay. V 10. In a switch operating system, the combination with a track switch point of a double solenoid operating means to operate it in one direction or the other and having one side of each solenoid connected to the ground, a trolley wire, a trolley contactor with a pair of parallel contacts arranged to be'bridged by a current collector, a solenoid operating circuit leading from one contact to the solenoids to carry current to operate the sole noids when the current collector engages the trolley contactor, a selector switch interposed in said circuit for directing the current to one solenoidor the other at will, a time limit switch connected in said circuit to open said circuit and cut ofl said current after a prede-- termined time of flow, a circuit connecting, theother contact of the trolley contactor with the trolley and having means therein to control the selector switch, a circuit connecting the time limit switch and one contact of the trolley contactor and including the track solenoids, and electrically operated means in said circuit to permit an operation of the time limit switch when a current collector bridges the contacts of the'trolley contactor, electrically controlled means to permit a positive large initial opening of the time limit switch and permit itto be restored to a position other than a closed position as long as the current collector bridges the contacts. i 11. In a system of the class described, the combination of an actuating solenoid, a relay operable to; selectively direct currents thru difl'erent parts of the actuating'solenoid, a second relay for controlling current flow to said solenoid, a divided resistor, divisions of said resistor connecting the second relay and the actuating solenoid, said resistor so connected'as to provide a shunt path for the initial operating current for the last mentioned relay. y

12. In a system of the class described, the

combination of an actuating solenoid, a relay operable to selectively direct currents thru difierent parts of the actuating solenoid, a second relay for controlling current flow to said solenoid, a divided resistor, divisions of said resistor connecting the second relay and the actuating solenoid, said resistor so connected as to provide a shunt path for the initial operating current for the last mentioned relay, and provide a second ground return for the said relay after a predetermined time to increase its operating current.

13. In a system of the class described, the combination of an actuating solenoid, a relay operable to selectively direct currents thru different parts of the actuating solenoid, a second relay for controlling current flow to said solenoid, a divided resistor, divisions of said resistor connecting the second relay and the actuating solenoid, said resistor so connected as, to provide a shunt path for-the initial operating current for the lastmentioned relay, and provide a second ground return for the said relay after a predetermined time due to the operation of the said relay to increase its operating current.

14. In a system of the class described, the

combination ofan actuating solenoid, a relay operable to selectively direct currents thru the different parts of the actuating solenoid, and a retarded pickuprelay for controlling current flow to the circuit of the said solenoid, and means to reduce the operating current of the said relay for apredetermined time. p

15. A switch operating system, comprising in combination, an electrically operated moved and a second ground applied thru another solenoid branch.

17. In a system of the class described, the I diiierent parts of said solenoid, a' circuit means included in a circuit connecting the different parts of thesolenoid thru a divided.

high resistance, said resistance arranged and connected to provide a shunt path for the said operating means, means ,to close the said normally open circuit and establish a saturating current through one branch of the actuating solenoid and establish a current less than a saturating value thru the other branch of the solenoid and the divided resistor to efiect the operating means of the last mentioned relay.

SAMUEL s. STOLP.

track switch, circuit controlling means oper-. f

ated automatically from a car to control said circuit for transmitting current from the conductor to the track switch to operate it in the desired direction, and electrically operated means equipped with means for retarding current flow in. a circuit comprising a divided resistor arranged in shunt with the said operating means to reduce the operating current for a predetermined time during which the said shunt circuit is interrupted and the said operating means isrendered inoperative. p

16. In a system of the class described, the combination of a normally open circuit in-' :cluding an actuating solenoid, a relay adapted to selectively direct currents thru dilierent parts of said solenoid, and a secondrelay in circuit between the first mentioned relay and the solenoid for controlling a flow of saturating current thru either branch of the solenoid, a divided resistor incircuit with each solenoid branch, and the said second relay, a portion of the said resistor so arranged as to be initially shunted about the operating coil of the said second relay for a predetermined time, wherein the said shunt is re- .including a second relay having an armature I I included in the said c1rcu1t and 1ts operating 

